TES Biological Aide (Spotted Lantern Fly)

NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

200 RIVERVIEW PLAZA, P.O. BOX 330, TRENTON, NJ  08625-0862

NOTICE OF JOB VACANCY

TITLE: TES Biological Aide (SLF) (Limited to 944 hours per fiscal year)

ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: 75-24

ISSUE DATE: 12/4/2024

CLOSING DATE: 1/5/2024

SALARY RANGE: $19 per hour

LOCATION: Statewide Travel within New Jersey

[X] GENERAL PUBLIC

ELECTRONIC FILING INSTRUCTIONS

Interested applicants must email a cover letter, including the announcement number, resume, and transcripts by the closing date of this Notice of Job Vacancy to njdajobs@ag.nj.gov.

SAME PROGRAM INFORMATION

SAME APPLICANTS: If you are applying under the NJ “SAME” program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter), must be submitted to njdajobs@ag.nj.gov along with your resume, cover letter, announcement number, and transcript (if position has a degree requirement) by the closing date indicated above. For more information on the SAME Program visit their Website at: https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml, email: CSC-SAME@csc.nj.gov, or call CSC at (609) 292-4144, option 3.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry is seeking temporary employees to work on the Spotted Lanternfly mitigation program; Spotted Lanternfly team members/biological aides become certified pesticide operators that apply insecticides and herbicides to reduce the population of SLF at select priority locations such as seaports, airports, train yards, and high-volume shipping/trucking operations. Team members also conduct insect trapping, use vacuums to suck up SLF, and scrape and crush egg masses. In addition, they occasionally collect intact egg masses to be used for scientific research. They also interact with property owners to gain access for trapping or treatment. Other related duties as required. This position may require statewide travel with most travel mainly focused in Southern New Jersey. Successful applicants must acquire an NJ Pesticide Operator License within 3 months of being hired and will be required to pass railroad safety training. Additional training may be added and required during employment as necessary.

REQUIREMENTS

Applicants with a background in entomology, horticulture, forestry, or other related fields is preferred, but not necessary. Outdoor work experience is preferred.  Applicants must have the ability to walk several miles over uneven ground.

Applicants must have a valid driver’s license in the State of New Jersey and are required to use their personal vehicle; mileage will be reimbursed at $0.47 per mile. 

NOTE: All college degrees (both U.S. and non-U.S.) and/or transcripts from a college or university must be evaluated for accreditation by the closing date of posting.  Transcripts must be submitted with a resume. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in ineligibility.                

NOTE: Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a recognized evaluation service at your expense. Please submit a copy of the evaluation with each application that requires a college degree or credits. For additional information, please refer to the Civil Service Commission website at: http://www.state.nj.us/csc/seekers/about/steps/step2.html

LICENSE: Appointees will be required to possess a driver’s license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle rather than employee mobility is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position. 

AUTHORIZATION TO WORK: The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States according to the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship, and Immigration Services regulations. 

NOTE: The State of New Jersey does not provide sponsorships for permanent residency to the United States or Work visa. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Effective September 1, 2011, NJ PL 70 (NJ First Act), requires all State employees to reside in New Jersey, unless exempted under the law, or current employees who live out-of-state and do not have a break-in service of more than 7 calendar days, as they are "grandfathered."  New employees or current employees who were not grandfathered and who live out-of-state have one year after the date of employment to relocate their residence to New Jersey or request an exemption.  Current employees who reside in NJ must retain NJ residency, unless an exemption is obtained. Employees who fail to meet the residency requirements or obtain an exemption will be removed from employment.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer